Replace Q45 Shock with Metal Bar

[Black Hawk Down]

I'm thinking about replacing my Q45 shock with a metal bar for riding on pavement. I'm wondering if anyone has done this or knows any problems with it. Currently, I ride 2-3 mph slower on the Q45 compared to my V20. Some of that is in the weight and size of the tires. But I think I lose a lot of energy by compressing the shock when peddling up hills. Also, the Q45 sits higher than I like. I'm thinking I can lower the height a little by using a shorter bar than the shock.

Of course the easy solution would be to buy a shock with a lockout option. I've only seen these on air shocks but I haven't been able to make any air shocks work on my bike. They're all too weak and can't hold my weight.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[Ramnob42]

Sounds like there may be an S40 in your future.

 

[Black Hawk Down]

Sounds like there may be an S40 in your future.

I own an S40. Note my signature lines. The S40 would be the ultimate touring bike if the seat back was more like 30 degrees. I rode 11K miles in a tour with it and my butt hurt every day. I modified the seat back of the Q45 to be very low and it is the most comfortable bike I have ever owned, including my V20. But, the Q45 is heavier and with the shock, substantially slower than my other two bikes.

 

[Bo6]

I own an S40. Note my signature lines. The S40 would be the ultimate touring bike if the seat back was more like 30 degrees. I rode 11K miles in a tour with it and my butt hurt every day. I modified the seat back of the Q45 to be very low and it is the most comfortable bike I have ever owned, including my V20. But, the Q45 is heavier and with the shock, substantially slower than my other two bikes.

I have ridden my Q45 for a year and tried to make it a bit faster and by changing wheels and tires. I tried Panaracer slicks , tubles with some lighter Hunt aluminum wheels and it made a noticeable difference. Unfortunately, the Panaracer tires though fast and supple were not flat resistant (several large holes in the casing from road gravel). Went back to the original tires with TPU tubes and the bike was slower but no flats.

Given my experience I suggest the wheels and tire approach may be the best option if you can find some durable slicks in 650b size. I was looking at Rene Herse with the heaver casing but have not tried any. I ended up with a V20 for faster rides which has not seen the road yet (on the trainer for winter). Plan to make some modifications to the V20 seat to get it to ~ 30ish degrees for group rides.

 

[Black Hawk Down]

I have ridden my Q45 for a year and tried to make it a bit faster and by changing wheels and tires. I tried Panaracer slicks , tubles with some lighter Hunt aluminum wheels and it made a noticeable difference. Unfortunately, the Panaracer tires though fast and supple were not flat resistant (several large holes in the casing from road gravel). Went back to the original tires with TPU tubes and the bike was slower but no flats.

Given my experience I suggest the wheels and tire approach may be the best option if you can find some durable slicks in 650b size. I was looking at Rene Herse with the heaver casing but have not tried any. I ended up with a V20 for faster rides which has not seen the road yet (on the trainer for winter). Plan to make some modifications to the V20 seat to get it to ~ 30ish degrees for group rides.

Thanks for the suggestions. My tours go through 3rd world countries with bad or dirt roads at times. I need heavy duty rims and tires. I ride with 26" x 2" Schwalbe Mondial's as they are really the ultimate touring tire. They work well on both the road and dirt. Though it's not a tubeless ready design, I have been riding them tubeless for years and they work great in that configuration. Flats are a thing of the past.

I put a Thor Carrier seat on my V20 (also on S40 and Q45) and it lifts your back up just enough for maximum comfort and visibility without compromising too much on aerodynamics. They're a bit expensive and you have to wait for delivery from Poland, but it's worth it in my opinion. Also the Carrier design supports your shoulders making them more comfortable. Behind the wings of the Carrier seat is room to mount large water bottles. I put two half gallon metal thermoses there for the Texas Summers.

 

[Bo6]

Thanks for the suggestions. My tours go through 3rd world countries with bad or dirt roads at times. I need heavy duty rims and tires. I ride with 26" x 2" Schwalbe Mondial's as they are really the ultimate touring tire. They work well on both the road and dirt. Though it's not a tubeless ready design, I have been riding them tubeless for years and they work great in that configuration. Flats are a thing of the past.

I put a Thor Carrier seat on my V20 (also on S40 and Q45) and it lifts your back up just enough for maximum comfort and visibility without compromising too much on aerodynamics. They're a bit expensive and you have to wait for delivery from Poland, but it's worth it in my opinion. Also the Carrier design supports your shoulders making them more comfortable. Behind the wings of the Carrier seat is room to mount large water bottles. I put two half gallon metal thermoses there for the Texas Summers.

Tubeless sealant got me home several times even with tire casing failures, so I am a believer.

I have thought about the Thor seat but instead made a mold of the Cruzbike seat and with make a 2-piece carbon seat. Then either add spacers or my preferred option of making an adjustable seat back.

 

[Black Hawk Down]

I have thought about the Thor seat but instead made a mold of the Cruzbike seat and with make a 2-piece carbon seat. Then either add spacers or my preferred option of making an adjustable seat back.

That is definitely too much work for me. With the Q45, you shouldn't need spacers for the seat back position. It's adjustable already.

 

[woodguy]

I'm thinking about replacing my Q45 shock with a metal bar for riding on pavement. I'm wondering if anyone has done this or knows any problems with it. Currently, I ride 2-3 mph slower on the Q45 compared to my V20. Some of that is in the weight and size of the tires. But I think I lose a lot of energy by compressing the shock when peddling up hills. Also, the Q45 sits higher than I like. I'm thinking I can lower the height a little by using a shorter bar than the shock.

Of course the easy solution would be to buy a shock with a lockout option. I've only seen these on air shocks but I haven't been able to make any air shocks work on my bike. They're all too weak and can't hold my weight.

Thanks,
Bill

When my original spring shock got weak, I bought an air shock & had the same problem you did. While I was waiting for a replacement stronger spring shock, I put a solid wood block in its place(didn’t use metal cuz I’m the woodguy). Gave a rougher ride, but worked okay. can’t compare speed to other bikes since I only have the Q45.

 

[Black Hawk Down]

When my original spring shock got weak, I bought an air shock & had the same problem you did. While I was waiting for a replacement stronger spring shock, I put a solid wood block in its place(didn’t use metal cuz I’m the woodguy). Gave a rougher ride, but worked okay. can’t compare speed to other bikes since I only have the Q45.

Thanks for that feedback. I'm not a wood guy but would use wood if it were the best choice. I fear all the rain I'll be experiencing in central and south America will soften and eventually rot the wood. An aluminum bar should do the trick. Once I run the experiement, I'll post back here with the results. My data point so far is on my daily (very hilly) ride, I average about 12-13 mph on my V20. On my Q45, the same route, I averaged 9-10 mph. A substantial difference. I don't have data for the S40, but I recall it not being significantly lower than the V20 average speed and it has the same wheels and tires as my Q45. Only real difference is the weight and the shock.

I have the bike home but I caught a cold, so I'm down for a couple of days.